Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-26
THE OHIO VALLEY.
It's Pre-EmInent Position in manufactur-
ing Cannot be Shaken.

II
ing Cannot be Shaken.
In the current number of The Age Of
Steel, Gold Short says:
Railroad building has, by its vigorous
stimulation during the past two years,
brought about some not very desirable re-
suits. The augmentation of the facilities
for transportation propOrtiOnately increased
the facilities for the transaction OF busl-
ness by opening up new territory, and at
the same time stimulated competition
already OverwOrked to renewed efforts
This would be well enough if the main
factor Legitimate demand-could be
urged into action in the same ratio, but
this cannot be, as the present sur
felt demonstrates. This overstimulatiOn
of competition has also narrowed margins
until there is so little profit left that man
ufacturers are compelled TO east about and
avail themselves of all tangible OppOrtuni-
ties and advantageous substitutiOns to re-
duce to the minimum their operating ex-
penseS. This, in most Ineligible and
peremptory manner, brings natural gas to
the front again, with the well-demOnstrat-
ed fact that no known fuel can compete
with it, in either minimizing costs of pro
duCtiOn or enhancing and maintaining
quality Of products. 1t is a concentration
also and, rs / have several times taken oc-
casiOn to assert, it will eventually force the
Capitalization of the production of sew
eral standard specialties in localities
where it most abOunds and where it is best
understood and most eXpertly utilized.
This points unerringly to this upper Ohio
valley, and all the finds of cheap lean ore
and shale coal will not jeopardize the
prO-emiuent position it occupies, and those
who come to it earliest will reap the rich
est reward. There is at this time, despite
all the Western and Southern speculative
illusiOnizing, more real, tangible, lucrative
and easily Obtainable opportunities await
ing Investigation and occupation in the
| Wheeling district between Steubenville
and Bellaire, ON both sides of the Ohio
river, cOmprehended within thirty mile
limits, than exist within the entire and
combined boundaries of the States of Ala
bama and Kansas. This sounds large, but
it can be confirmed
The nail situation has not improved
Prices have been weakening, although
manful endeavors have been made to main
tain them. The fact is the trade, with
better foresight than the manufacturers
anticipated requirements, and now the de-
mand is slack; in other words stocks in
the hands of jobbers and large buyers do
not need replenishment This brought
on the inevitable, and weak backbone
concerns attempted to force trade by max
ing concessions from the card rate. The
Spalding mill made an open break on
the 18th by issuing n circular lowering the
rate to q , 80 cent basis with usual allow
ance for car load lots, and while not ex-
pressed it is inferable will allow the usual
other trimmings, an Sth and per cent off
for cash-this means about 500. The
Western Association meets to-day in Gin
cinnati, and of course they will take cog
nizance of the Spalding card. In refer
ring to the apparent necessity of cOncen-
trating certain productions in this Ohio
valley had the nail business prominently
in mental view, and it does seem TO one
not in the trade that, with judicious
utilization of them, the nail manufac-
turers of the Wheeling district have su-
preme advantages and facilities which rem
der competition with them impossible.
The Interstate bill may hamper slightly
on one side, but on the other are the nat
ural gas, the Ohio river, proximity of ore,
the immense and valuable iron and steel
capacity and production of the upper
Ohio valley and tributary localities, and
the mineral resources OF West Virginia,
which must be developed and brought into
early utilization.